Dish Pit to Denver: Patrick Whalen on Building Restaurants with Soul - Church & Union

In this one-on-one episode of What's Good Denver, host Ryan Estes sits down with Patrick Whalen, co-founder of Church & Union, one of Denver's most exciting new restaurants, located in the historic Elmo Hotel building at 17th and Blake. From washing dishes to running a multi-city restaurant group, Patrick shares the real story behind his rise in the hospitality industry. They dive into: – Why LoDo stole Patrick's heart – The unexpected data behind Denver's restaurant market resilience – Building a restaurant with character—not just profit margins – Navigating high labor costs, tip credit laws, and ticket surcharges – Thoughts on Bourdain, Guy Fieri, Gordon Ramsay, and food as universal art – How Church & Union aims to surprise, delight, and deeply connect with guests Whether you're a restaurant lover, entrepreneur, or someone who just appreciates a damn good brunch, this episode is for you. 📍 Featured Spot: Church & Union Denver – New American cuisine with bold design and serious flavor, now open in LoDo. 🔗 Mentioned: – Dazzle Denver – Denver's jazz institution – Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club – Kitcaster – Book Podcast Interviews Want more stories like this? Subscribe at realgooddenver.com and follow us on Instagram at @whatsgooddenver